Peggy Joyce (Henry) Dawe

Peggy Joyce (Henry) Dawe, 91, of Peculiar, Missouri, passed away in the solace of her home surrounded by family and friends. Visitation will be 1:30-2:30 pm at McGilley & George Funeral Home, 12913 Grandview Road, Grandview, Missouri, 64030 with Memorial Service beginning at 2:30pm. A dinner to follow at 4 pm provided by Snead’s BBQ (1001 E 171st St, Belton, MO 64012).

Peggy Joyce Miller was the only child born to Walter “Roundy” and Verna Miller in Cleveland, Missouri on March 3rd, 1932. Peggy grew up during the great depression, and lived to experience many other monumental moments in history. She was a time capsule, and her family will greatly miss hearing about those moments first hand over, and over again.

From a young age Peggy was before her time: kind, entertaining, witty, and bold. She was a dancer, but played so hard she got in trouble most days for ruining the hair her mother spent hours perfecting. However, her love for dancing continued her entire life, at one point her and her best friend Norma Jean Baker had a dance studio in Harrisonville, Missouri on the square until Peggy had her 3rd child. She was the perfect balance of elegance and amusement. Her presence was captivating.

When Peggy was 18, she met the first love of her life Donald Lawrence Henry, and after taking her to the Bizarre in town, they knew that they were ready to build a life together. Peggy converted to Catholicism and she and Donald were married at the Queen of the Holy Rosary Church in Wea, Kansas on December 30th, 1950.

From there, Peggy and Donald had eight children together, Verna “Kay” O’Donnell, Donita “Dee” Haley, Joan Brown, Glenna Cox, Carol Moorehouse, Donald “Donnie” Henry, Tony Henry, and Mary Finn. They raised them in South Kansas City, in St. Catherine’s Gardens where they made connections that will last a lifetime. There was never a dull moment, Peggy recently stated, “There were 69 kids in a one block radius” Peggy was a homemaker for 25 years while Don ran the family lawn business. Peggy and Donald were married for 32 years until Don passed away in October of 1982.

Peggy worked at Menorah Medical center where she was proud to be a unit secretary for 10 years, where her perfectionist tendencies thrived. Peggy loved her job at Menorah, and only quit to travel and enjoy her time with family and friends after meeting George Dawe, the second love of her life.

Peggy and George were introduced by their daughters, and they quickly knew they were meant to be after realizing they both had 8 kids, and could understand the beautiful chaos that comes with such large families. They were married shortly after in San Diego, California in 1984 and were happily married for 20 years until George passed in 2003.

Peggy moved to Peculiar, Missouri with her daughter Mary and son-in-law John, and spent the rest of her life making memories with the large family she created. Peggy was a fierce advocate for all people and animals, especially dogs. We know there were many dogs waiting to welcome her home. Peggy was competitive by nature, and was an avid Chief’s fan! Peggy had a way of making the person she was talking with feel like they were truly important, she is a testament to the way we all should treat others, and we will never forget the way she made us feel.

She is preceded in death by her parents Walter “Roundy” and Verna Miller; husbands Donald Henry and George Dawe; children Tony Henry and Carol Moorehouse; grandchildren Kelli O’Donnell and Richard Westergaard; lots of family, countless friends, and all her dogs, especially Maggie her best companion.

She is survived by her children Verna, DeeDee, Joan (Bo), Glenna, Donnie (Lisa), and Mary (John), 23 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. Peggy was a once in a lifetime woman, and we are all better because we knew her and she will be sorely missed until we meet again.

Inurnments at Fort Leavenworth Cemetery and Holy Rosary Cemetery will be scheduled at a later date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleygeorgegrandview.com for the Dawe family.